There seems to be a lack of understanding among the different cultures living in Ireland, which leads to an unwillingness to integrate. One of the biggest reasons for that which I can see is that many if not most schools are tied to a religious domination, which means you only get a set group of children and young people interacting day-to-day.
In my opinion, the Government should really put more funding towards setting up non-denominational schools so that from a young age our children will be exposed to different cultures and types of people, which means that later on in life we will all be much more willing to learn about other people’s cultures and not quite so scared of things that are different from what we’re used to.
The fact is that a lot of children don’t have the chance to befriend someone of a different nationality or culture before they go to college. This can only breed a lack of understanding, which can then lead to fear of different cultures because there’s been no opportunity to see others as individuals, and not representatives of inaccurate stereotypes.
Of course the lack of integration in schools wouldn’t be such a problem if many parents didn’t teach their children bad things about immigrants at home. The Government is not completely to blame for this, but its lack of effort in educating the masses on the importance of immigration to this country is a serious problem.
People tend to only see immigrants as a drain on the nation’s taxes or as interlopers trying to steal their jobs. But in reality, immigrants tend to take the jobs in a society that the nationals don’t want to do, even though they are more than likely overqualified for the job – if they can get one.
Furthermore, even though they make up 10 per cent of our population and pay taxes on what they earn just like everyone else, the vast majority don’t have citizenship and so don’t have a voice when the country goes to the electoral polls.
Our Government should be making an effort to combat false impressions about immigrants. Talks or cultural days should be held at businesses, schools and in town centres, highlighting the issues faced by immigrants and the benefits they bring to this country.
After all, we must remember that Irish nationals are currently leaving for other countries in great numbers to escape the effects of the recession, and we wouldn’t want them to experience discrimination because they’re immigrants. Our own lack of acceptance of immigrants here surely isn’t going to warm other countries to our citizens very much.
Something else that should be done is to improve the way applications for citizenship are processed. I think maybe some people would be more accepting of immigrants if they at least had an Irish passport. I only say this because it would make them feel this person is dedicated to Ireland and wants to contribute to the country’s growth.
There are so many things that could be done to make integration work in Ireland. We should be able to join together with foreign nationals without the suppression of their culture and the forcing of ours on them. All we need to do is try harder.
Elaine Smyth is an intern with Metro Éireann.
